EDUCATION

  • 2020 –  PhD Candidate at Deakin University
  • 2008 to 2010 – Master of Visual Arts, Monash University, Melbourne  
  • 1994 to 1998 – Bachelor of Fine Art, Lebanese University, Beirut
  • 1992 to 1994 – Certificate Course in Painting and Sculpture, Fine Arts Centre of Lattakia
  • 1988 to 1992 – Bachelor of Trade and Economics, Tishreen University, Lattakia

Professional Memberships

  • 2018 – 2019 | Barwon Estuary Project
  • 2022 – present | Geelong Field Naturalists Club
  • 2015 – present | Mangroves from the Water Group   
  • 2019 – present | The National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA)
  • 2020 – present | Ausglass artist group
  • 2017 –  present | Humans in Geelong 
  • 2000 – present | Emirates Fine Arts Society (UAE)
  • 2020 – present | Corangamite CMA Community Engagement Network
  • 2020 – present | Climate Change Communication Narratives and Network (CCCNN)
  • 2018 – present | Community Radio 94.7 FM the Pulse

Environment Festival Organiser

Mangroves from the Water Festival Organizer 2017, Khor Umm Al Quwain, UAE, 8-11 March 2017

In partnership with the Umm Al Quwain Government in association with the Sharjah Higher Colleges of Technology, Wasit Wetland Reserves and UAE ministries and schools. Achieved a partnership with the UAQ Government to host fine art, music, heritage and scientific exhibitions, workshops, tours and art competitions along with sporting events (walking and traditional rowing) in location in the mangroves over four days to raise awareness of the beauty and ecological importance of the mangroves regions of the UAE in order to protect them. Lead the Mangroves from the Water Festival 2017 team.

Curator - Mangroves from the Water (MFTW) founder & curator

Mangroves from the Water Exhibition, the Gordon Gallery, Geelong, Australia, 11 – 18 August, 2021

Mangroves from the Water Exhibition during the Mangroves Festival 2017, Umm Al Quwain, 18-21 March 2017

Mangroves from the Water UAE series
New York University of Abu Dhabi, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, Emirates Arts Society, Umm Al Quwain National Museum, thejamjar Dubai, October 2015 to March 2016.

  • Multi-media: painting, film, installations, sculpture, short stories.
  • Sought & negotiated sponsorship for the entire series from the Environment Agency- Abu Dhabi.
  • Prepared & coordinated all arrangements for 10 artists.
  • Liaised & negotiated with artists, galleries & sponsors regarding budgeting, installation, accommodation, tours, timings & placement.
  • Coordinated marketing including interviews with artists for MBC Arabia TV & national newspapers.
  • Produced the exhibition booklet.
  • Managed all sales at front of house.
  • Organised inhouse sketching.
    Organised & lead sketching from kayak workshops and boat tours in the Umm Al Quwain mangroves.
  • Participated as an artist.

Upcoming Exhibition

23 May – 2 June 2024
Melbourne Design Week – Mangroves from the Water – Deakin Borrwood Library Gallery

29 August – 12 September 2024
Mangroves From The Water – PhD Art Project, The Project Space Gallery, Deakin University, Geelong Waterfront Campus

Past Exhibition

  • November 2023

The Hive Ocean Grove, Bellarine Art Rail – Group Exhibition

  • 2022

The National Mall, Washington, DC. Smithsonian Folklife Festival – the UAE Pavilion, 22 June – 4 July 2022

Herring Island, Melbourne, A4 Art Australia National Exhibition, 5 March –18 April

The Hive Ocean Grove, Summer Group Exhibition-Introducing Zahidah Zeytoun Millie, 7 – 30 January

  • 2021

Mangroves from the Water Exhibition, the Gordon Gallery, Geelong, Australia, 11 – 18 August

Islamic Museum of Australia, Missing Voices: Untold Stories of Australian Muslims,15 April -16 July

  • 2020

Islamic Museum of Australia/ Islamic Museum Art Prize Exhibition, 18 August 2020 – 20 February, 2021

  • 2018

Humans in Geelong Expo, Deakin Waterfront, Mangroves from the Water exhibition including a speech about the mangroves, 7 October

  • 2017

Bellarine Art Trail, the Uniting Church, Queenscliff, Victoria 4-5th November

Mangroves from the Water Exhibition, Mangroves Festival 2017, Umm Al Quwain, March

  • 2016

Connection, Steps Gallery, Lygon St. Melbourne, August/September

Mangroves from the Water, The Jam Jar Gallery, Dubai, 14-23 March

As an environmentalist I curated the ‘Mangroves from the Water’ exhibition project, October 2015 to March 2016. A touring multimedia exhibition project – watercolour sketches, film, photography, sculpture, installation art, folklore stories. The exhibition moved from Abu Dhabi, to Sharjah, to Umm Al Quwain, and finally Dubai.  As part of the project Zahidah hosted sketching workshops on a kayak and boat tours in the mangroves of Umm Al Quwain.

  • 2015

Mangroves from the Water, Umm Al Quwain Museum, Umm Al Quwain, 11-19 December

Mangroves from the Water, Emirates Fine Arts Society, Sharjah, 12-30 November

Mangroves from the Water, Environment Agency Headquarters, Al Mamoura Building, Abu Dhabi, 1-6 November

Mangroves from the Water, New York University – Project Space Gallery, Abu Dhabi, 22-28 October

  • 2014

Expanding Horizons, Salwa Zeidan Gallery, Abu Dhabi, UAE, June-September

Alliance Francaise, ’Connection’, Dubai, UAE, November

Tashkeel in ‘Sikka Art Fair 2014’, Tashkeel House, Dubai, UAE, March

RAK Art Festival, National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, February

  • 2013

Tashkeel in ‘Sikka Art Fair 2013’, Tashkeel House, Dubai, UAE, March

‘Women in Art IX’, Courtyard Gallery, Dubai, UAE, November

‘Salon des Refuses’. Happenstance Gallery, London, England, June

‘Ras Al Khaimah from the Mangroves’, National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, March

‘Women in Art VIII’, Courtyard Gallery, Dubai, UAE, February

  • 2012

Zahidah‘ curated by Rodney Forbes, Switchback Gallery, Monash University, Gippsland Campus, Melbourne, Australia, 11 July – 4 August

  • 2010

‘Between Bodies’ opened by the international artist Stelarc, Monash Prato, Italy, July

Tracking the Emirates, Contemporary Art Exhibition’Swiss Art Gate UAE, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, April

  • 2008

From Al Safa to Starchitecture’(Solo), Higher Colleges of Technology, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

  • 2006

Majlis Gallery, Dubai, UAE, December

‘Impressions’(Solo), Hilton Ras Al Khaimah, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, November

  • 2004

‘Impressions’(Solo), Hilton Ras Al Khaimah, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, February

  • 2002

Majlis Gallery, Dubai, UAE, December

‘Creativity’, Sharjah Art Precinct, Handicapped Guardians Association, Sharjah, UAE, April

Majlis Gallery, Dubai, UAE, March

‘The 21st Exhibition for Artists’, Sharjah Art Museum, Sharjah, UAE, January

  • 2001

Hilton Fujairah, April

‘Expressions of Faces’, Sharjah Art Museum, Sharjah, UAE, April

‘The 20th Exhibition for Artists’, Sharjah Art Museum, Sharjah, UAE, March

  • 2000

‘Fujairah in Art’ (Solo), Hilton Fujairah, Fujairah, UAE, December

  • 1999

Forum de Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon, May

Beit Al-Fen, Tripoli, Lebanon, February

  • 1998

UNESCO Centre, Beirut, Lebanon, April

  • 1994

Syrian Cultural Centre, Damascus, Syria, AugustFe

Bibliography

Residencies

  • Pilchuck Glass School, Washington DC, USA, 10 – 27 July 2022
  • Monash Campus in Prato, Italy June – July 2010
  • Higher Colleges of Technology, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, June-August 2008

Presentation

  • “Mangroves in Southern Victoria”. Presented via Zoom to the Rotary Club Corio Bay, 21 August 2020
  • “Mangroves from the Water”.  Presented at the Humans in Geelong Expo 2018, Deakin University, 6 October 2018
  • “Mangroves in Southern Victoria”. Presented at the  Combined Probus Club of Lara 2018, 17 October 2018
  • “Mangrovres From The Water”. The World Trade Club Dubai, 24 May 2017
  • Health Day Event – Mangroves – Sheikh Khalifa General Hospital, 26 September 2016
  • From Safa To Starchitecture – Higher Colleges of Technology, Ras al Khaimah, UAE, 10 December 2008
  • RAK Hospital, Swiss Art Gate UAE, Ras Al Khaimah, since April 2010, They All Want the Tallest Skyscraper, permanent display.
  • RAK Free Trade Zone, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, since 2004, Impression 3.
  • Fujairah Municipality, UAE, since 2000, Bull Fighting 2.
  • ConsultantOrganiser – A Day without Plastic Bags, Ajman City Council, UAE May 2017
  • CEO, Mangroves Festival 2017; Mar 2016 – Apr 2017

    – Umm Al Quwain, UAE, 18 – 21 Mar. 30 artists.
    – In partnership with the Umm Al Quwain Government in association with the Sharjah Higher Colleges of Technology, Wasit Wetland Reserves and UAE ministries and schools.
    – Achieved a partnership with the UAQ Government to host fine art, music, heritage and scientific exhibitions, workshops, tours and art competitions along with sporting events (walking and traditional rowing) in location in the mangroves over four days to raise awareness of the beauty and ecological importance of the mangroves regions of the UAE in order to protect them.
    – Lead the Mangroves from the Water Festival 2017 team

  • Curator of touring exhibition/UAE; Oct 2015 – Mar 2016

    – Mangroves from the Water UAE Series, New York University of Abu Dhabi, Environment Agency- Abu Dhabi, Emirates Arts Society, Umm Al Quwain National Museum, thejamjar Dubai- October 2015 to March 2016
    – Sought & negotiated sponsorship for the entire series from the Environment Agency- Abu Dhabi.
    – Prepared & coordinated all arrangements for 10 artists.
    – Liaised & negotiated with artists, galleries & sponsors regarding budgeting, installation, accommodation, tours, timings & placement.
    – Coordinated marketing including interviews with artists for MBC Arabia TV & the National newspaper.
    – Produced the exhibition booklet.
    – Managed all sales at front of house.
    – Organised inhouse sketching & sewing workshops (thejamjar). Organised & lead sketching from kayak workshops and boat tours in the Umm Al Quwain mangroves.
    – Participated as an artist.Multi-media: painting, film, installations, sculpture, short stories.

  •  

Art Awards

  • PhD Research Award, Deakin University, May 2023
  • Certificate of Appreciation from the Smithsonian . Linking heritage, culture & environment through the Mangroves from the Water exhibition at the 2022 Smithsonian Folklife Festival
  • Certificate of Appreciation from Sharjah Institute for Heritage.  Linking heritage, culture & environment through Mangroves from the Water exhibitions, Sharjah Institute for Heritage, 2 September 2021
  • Community Events Grant from the City of Greater Geelong, to Mangroves from the Water, 24 February 2021
  • ‘Conversation with the Moonah Tree’ painting has been selected as one of the final selection for the Islamic Museum Art Prize 2020 (AMA),  www.islamicmuseum.org.au/ama-2020-exhibition
  • Certificate of Appreciation, Combined Probus Club of Lara, Vic, 17 October 2017
  • Certificate of Appreciation, Sharjah American International School, UAE, 8 June 2017
  • Certificate of Recognition, Municipality & Planting Department, Government of Ajman, UAE, 15 to 16 April 2017
  • Certificate of Appreciation, Umm Al Quwain Business Women’s Council, UAQ Government, UAE, 2017
  • Certificate of Appreciation, Government of Um Al Quwain, Municipality Department, UAE, 2 June 2016
  • Certificate of Appreciation of Contribution and Successful Participation at the Sharjah Art Museum, UAE, 22 January to 8 February 2002
  • Certificate of Recognition, Emirates Fine Art Society, UAE, 18 to 26 March 2001
  • Certificate of Appreciation, Fujairah Government, UAE, 24 to 26 October 2001
  • Certificate of Appreciation, El Mina Municipality, Lebanon, 26 February 1999
  • Certificate of Gratitude and Appreciation, Minister of Culture & Higher Education, 26 February 1999
  • Certificate of Appreciation, UNESCO Cultural Council of Southern Lebanon, 1 to 3 April 1998

Sport Awards

  • Certificate & medal of completion, Dubai Marathon, 2005
  • Medal of completion, the RAK 10km run, 2006
  • Medal of completion, the RAK 10km run, 2007
  • Medal of completion, the RAK 10km run, 2008
  • Certificate & medal of completion, the RAK Half Marathon, 2009
  • Certificate & medal of completion, the RAK Half Marathon, 2010
  • Certificate & medal of completion, the RAK Half Marathon, 2011
  • Medal of completion, the RAK 10km run, 2012
  • Certificate & medal of completion, the RAK Half Marathon, 2013
  • Certificate & medal of completion, the RAK Half Marathon, 2014
  • Certificate & medal of completion, the RAK Half Marathon, 2015
  • Certificate & medal of completion, the RAK Half Marathon, 2016
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